NASA is all set for its next mission to explore Mars named MAVEN – Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution. The spacecraft has arrived at the Kennedy Space Center and the preparations are almost complete. The solar panels have been attached to the spacecraft. After a few final tests, NASA will be ready for the launch of its next mission to the MARS on Nov 18.

Instead of landing on the surface, this spacecraft will orbit the Red Planet to analyze its atmosphere. This will help NASA scientists to analyze how the planet’s atmosphere changed over time. MAVEN is scheduled to reach Mars in Sep 2014.

“The MAVEN mission is a significant step toward unraveling the planetary puzzle about Mars’ past and present environments,” NASA’s John Grunsfeld said in a written statement.

India has also scheduled its own Mars Orbiter mission for Nov 2013. These missions will help scientists to understand why Mars lost its atmosphere? A recent study indicated that most of Mars’ carbon dioxide-based atmosphere may have escaped billions of years ago. If everything goes according to the plan India’s Space Research Organisation will join hands with NASA to explore Red Planet’s Atmosphere.